I’ve got socks older than you!

That is… if you were born after 2000. Yes, I have some Redhead hiking socks from BassPro Shop that are that old. Three pair in fact with a lifetime guarantee. I wear them every week and there isn’t one hole in them. I’m thinking they truly are lifetime guaranteed. Last year, just for the sake of variety I got a few new pair for Christmas. But, what does that have to do with anything?

Well, let me explain. My current Canon 300mm lens that I bought used 20 years ago stopped auto-focusing over a year ago. (It works with IS on, but you don’t use IS on a tripod. So, it just wasn’t cutting it.) Now I’m not the kind of guy that runs out and get the latest gadget when it hits the market – or socks either for that matter.

I really enjoy bird and wildlife photography, but without a long lens, it’s very difficult. So, through the unexpected sale of some metal panels on exhibit in Minneapolis along with a cash award, I was able to purchase a new Sigma 150-600mm lens.

And, I’ve gotta tell you, this lens is sweet! Don’t get me wrong – I’m a Canon guy! But, the price difference is like “comparing ice cream to manure if you have to eat it for dessert.” (My dad used to say that a lot when comparing stuff. And if it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for me.)

The extended reach a 600mm lens gives is extremely valuable when shooting wildlife. And, so far, I’ve found the sharpness and focusing to be of very high quality.

If you’re a shooter looking for a long tele-zoom you may want to consider Sigma. There are other nice features, but I won’t bore you with more details. (No, I’m not getting paid from Sigma, but I sure wouldn’t refuse if they offered.)

Here are a few handheld shots in my backyard with image stabilization on. And, BTW, I rarely shoot handheld due to camera shake.